Professor B. A. Chopade is an eminent microbiologist, research mentor, biotechnologist, and renowned educationist with 30 years of experience in research and teaching at the University of Pune. He has been working as Director of Institute of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology (IBB) University of Pune since 2006. He has established and developed IBB as a unique national institute and as a centre of excellence in teaching and research in biotechnology in India. He has successfully established a innovative benchmark of publication in peer reviewed journals of repute by undergraduate students at IBB. He was Head of the Department of Microbiology, University of Pune from 1994, 1996-2000 and 2003-2006.

Professor Chopade has several scholastic honors and professional distinctions to his credits. He was the Government of India Scholar at the University of Nottingham, England and obtained a Ph.D. degree in microbiology and molecular genetics (1983-1986). He was also the recipient of the most prestigious Fogarty International NIH Research Fellowship Award from Govt. of USA for Post Doctoral Research at the University of Illinois Chicago (1994-1996) on genetic engineering of Pseudomonas aeruginosa virulence genes. He has had very distinguished academic career. He had carved his career entirely on the basis of academic excellence and merit.

He has published more than 70 research papers in international and national peer reviewed journals of repute and books. He has obtained 2 USA patents on Acinetobacter as a novel plant growth promoting rhizobacteria from wheat and bioemulsifier production by Acinetobacter from healthy human skin. He has presented more than 90 papers in national and international conferences. His research work has been widely cited by researchers including Nobel laureate Professor Arthur Kornberg from USA. His research stands in frontiers of G proteins and ras oncogenes in microorganisms. His work also has been cited in 3 textbooks of microbiology published from USA and Europe. 19 Ph.D, 4 M.Phil and 5 M.Tech scholars have completed their research under his able mentorship and currently 10 Ph. D students are working. His 3 students had obtained Young Scientist Awards in 1993 at Stockholm, from International Congress of Chemotherapy. His research area includes microbial and molecular genetics and biotechnology. He is on editorial board of number of research journals as well as Wealth of India publication series. He has obtained research grants and funding of more than Rs. 5 crores from national and international funding agencies. He has successfully completed 22 major research projects. He has developed a new herbal medicine “Infex” which is very effective against respiratory infections and is manufactured by Shrushti Herbal Pharma Ltd. Bangalore. He is pioneer in the area of Industry-Academia interaction and entrepreneurship in biotechnology and microbiology at IBB, University of Pune.

He was a visiting scientist at the Pasteur Institute Paris, France and King’s College, University of London in 1990. He has received number of awards to his credit and most notable are: Best teacher award by Pune Municipal Corporation (1993); Best research paper awards in microbial and molecular genetics (1988 & 2002) by Association of Microbiologist of India; Best research paper award by National Conference on Environmental Technology (2006), University of Mumbai; Best research paper award in Haematology (2005) by International Conference of Haematology; Who’s Who of the World (2000); Who’s Who in Science and Engineering USA (2001); Who’s Who in Education USA (2002); Summer Fellowship of Indian Academy of Sciences, Bangalore (2001). His biography is published by American Biographical Institute, USA(2000) and International Biographical Centre Cambridge (1991). He is member of American Society for Microbiology (ASM) USA and Society for General Microbiology England as well as member of number of national organisations.

He has been working on various Statutory Authorities of University of Pune. He was Chairman of Board of Studies in Microbiology from 1997-2000 & 2005-2007. He was member of Academic Council (1997-2000 & 2000-2005) and Board of College and University Development (BCUD) of University of Pune from 1997-2000 & 2000-2005. He is a member of number of committees of UGC New Delhi such as 11th Plan Research Committee, Research Projects and Deemed University Status since 2008. He was Chairman of State Eligibility Test (SET) in Microbiology for Govt of Maharashtra and Goa for 3 years (1997-2000). He has active involvement in the national and international scientific organizations.

Professor Chopade envisages the University of Pune as a modern research University in which synergy between research and teaching will be fostered which will result into development of innovative minds of University students and meet the challenges of the 21st century in developing Pune.
University as a knowledge University and subsequently one of the best University in India as well as in the world.